Surprising Game

[Devon]

It was night time the day after Lucid's run in with Adela. He had been anxiously waiting to follow his father the first night, but he was so excited he ended up falling asleep right before his father left. But this night he had taken a nap earlier in the day and wasn't tired at all. Pretending to be asleep, Lucid lay still as his father came to check up on him at night. Kalian peeked in on his son, smiled and leaned over his bed to give his son a kiss on the head. Turning around he left off to his meeting place with Cascata.

Lucid waited silently for a few moments before he got up and snuck out of the window. Watching the direction his dad went, Lucid quietly and stealthy followed his father to see where he was going.

[Kender Bard]

At the appointed meeting spot, near a rather disreputable inn, Cascata waited in the darkened ally, dressed in a station far, far lower than she was. She was full of nervous tension, understanding that it was a literal risk to be here on more than one level. Assuming she wasn't caught or found out, she may have to fend off an unwanted advance. However, her wait was brief and uneventful and she let out a relieved sigh at seeing Kalian. She waited for him to come to her and then drew him into her arms and held him closely. "Kalian, my love, I'm so glad to see you."

[Devon]

Kalian smiled instantly and held Cascata in his arms. "I'm glad to see you as well Cascata," he said softly. "How was the wedding in Khelek, I trust you had a good trip." While Kalian and Cascata talked, Lucid had managed to follow his father all the way to the inn. He was more than nervous, never having been out to such a bad part of town by himself and this late even. Still he swallowed his fear and let his curiosity and bravery take over. Peering around the corner he watched as his father met with a woman he didn't recognize. Rubbing his eyes he gawked at the woman and murmured to himself, "She's pretty.."

[Kender Bard]

"The wedding was absolutely lovely," Cascata replied. "Nagi and Locket make such a sweet couple and theirs was a wedding full of love and joy, despite all the gravity that was involved as well. Locket certainly has a way of taking propriety and sweeping it under the rug of good times." She laughed quietly at that and related a few other details of the wedding.

She didn't mention her talk with Crawford. She didn't feel a need to; and she wasn't sure she could do so without betraying some of the lingering somberness she felt when she thought of that conversation. "How have you been? How has Lucid been?"

[Devon]

"Lucid has been good," Kalian stated. "He has reached the point in a young boy's life where he is wanting to test his mettle so to speak. I think I get how worried I used to make my mother when I would come home scoffed up. He also has an interest in a weapon now, says he wants to learn."

Lucid perked at the mention of his name from both the woman and his father. He wondered why they would be talking about him and why she seemed so interested when he had never met her. Peering out a little more, Lucid made a move to get closer to Kalian and the mystery woman. While moving Lucid couldn't see the ground very well in front of him, and so he lost his footing and tripped, falling into the alley and making a bit of noise as he did it. Looking up slowly towards where his father and the woman stood he muttered, "Uh..hello dad."

[Kender Bard]

Cascata stared at Lucid with wide eyes, frozen in place and speechless momentarily. Then she exhaled her withheld breath. "L-lucid?" With a soft gasp she hurried to him and tried to help him up. "Oh...! Lucid!"

Then, overwrought with emotion, she started to cry as she hugged him.

[Devon]

Lucid stood up when Cascata helped him and was very confused about why she was crying and hugging him. He didn't fall that hard after all. Looking to Kalian who could only shake his head at his son, Lucid slowly put his arms around Cascata and patted her back. "Um..you don't have to cry Miss...I'm fine," he told her.

Kalian walked over to Lucid and Cascata, not sure how to explain any of this right now. "Lucid..what are you doing out here?"

[Devon]

Lucid stood up when Cascata helped him and was very confused about why she was crying and hugging him. He didn't fall that hard after all. Looking to Kalian who could only shake his head at his son, Lucid slowly put his arms around Cascata and patted her back. "Um..you don't have to cry Miss...I'm fine," he told her.

Kalian walked over to Lucid and Cascata, not sure how to explain any of this right now. "Lucid..what are you doing out here?"

[Kender Bard]

Cascata got her emotions back under control and she reluctantly released Lucid and swiped at her tear-filled eyes. The implications of the meeting were still trying to get her attention amidst her conflicted feelings. "Yes dear, you shouldn't be here. It's late and this isn't a nice part of Ronduin." She glanced at Kalian sternly and asked, "Do you always let him stay awake this late?"

[Devon]

Kalian glanced quickly to Cascata. "What!? No, thats why I'm trying to figure out why he is here now." Kalian sighed and turned his attention back to Lucid. "Lucid Aquious...explain." Lucid cringed a little, but decided he would explain anyway. "Well this lady from next door Miss Adela, she ran into me when I was in the weapon shop and started asking me all these questions about you and how I was doing and then she said she knew of a game I could play. I'd follow you at night, see where you went and then tell her and she was gonna get the scythe I wanted...but I don't want it from her..she is kind of weird." the boy said finally taking a breath.

[Kender Bard]

Cascata's eyes narrowed.

This woman was using her son as a spy? And to follow Kalian? Which means at least someone suspected that the trysts had resumed.

"Oh sweet Soahc," she murmured as the situation fully struck her. "Oh no, oh Kalian, we're in so much trouble." She looked around nervously. "I must get back home at once and try to repair the damage!"

[Devon]

"Calm down a moment Cascata," Kalian said looking worried. Kneeling down in front of his son he put a hand on Lucid's shoulder. "Well you have to tell her something to get her off of my back for a while. I hate asking you to do this, but no one can know whats going on right now."

Lucid nodded and shook his head at the same time. "I don't even know whats going on..I just thought you were going to a tavern or something."

[Kender Bard]

Cascata yearned to tell him, dearly wanted to, but she refrained - barely. "Kalian and I are... very, very old friends Lucid. I've known him since before you were born."

She tried to keep from looking impatient but didn't succeed well. She was afraid of how much had already leaked about things.

[Devon]

"Thats right," Kalian echoed with a small smile to Cascata. "She works a lot during the day so we can only meet a couple of times to catch up Lucid. You can't tell Miss Adela about this in fact, don't worry about what to tell her. We'll talk to her tomorrow..together." Lucid nodded and Kalian stood up and took a small step back from his son. "Now we need to get you back to bed Lucid...we'll talk about how much trouble you're in later." Kalian hugged Cascata, giving her a light kiss on the cheek. "I'm going to take him home..be careful."

Kalian turned and started to leave the alleyway, Lucid turned to follow, but stopped and ran up to Cascata. "It was nice meeting you," he said. "Sorry I interrupted your meeting and um..you don't have to cry next time. I only fell a little, I'm pretty strong," he boasted with a big smile.

[Kender Bard]

"Yes, I know," Cascata responded in a bare whisper, lest she begin to cry again. "I can see that plainly. Goodbye, Lucid. I hope to see you again someday."

When they had gone, Cascata took a deep breath and stole away to see what she could repair of the possible damage.